Cancellation Due to Reduced Capacity?

[handbellplayer]

 

I apologize if this has been discussed in other threads – I DID do a search and couldn’t find anything. We are booked on Harmony OTS for January.  I don’t know (apparently no one does) whether ships will be sailing at reduced capacity at that time. Do they limit bookings to control capacity or is there a chance our cruise will be cancelled in order to reduce capacity?  I am nervous enough about the short turn-around on COVID testing, etc.  Do I also need to be concerned about a last-minute cancellation?

[Sunshine3601]

As of right now enough people seem to be canceling on their own for various reasons so there hasn't been any issue with having to cancel existing bookings to reduce capacity.

 

 

 

[RoyalC]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

As of right now enough people seem to be canceling on their own for various reasons so there hasn't been any issue with having to cancel existing bookings to reduce capacity.

 

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

OP is asking if the cruise could be canceled, not existing bookings.  The answer is yes considering RCL recently canceled a ton of cruises and existing bookings are are terribly weak at best. They've handled everything about as bad you can.

 

 

 

[ampurp85]

I would say if it is a ship that is currently sailing, the worry over cancellation is slim. Harmony is sailing. I do think you will sail and unless you are unvax with children you don't have to worry. There was always a risk that ships not sailing or scheduled for a test cruise would be cancelled. 

[brillohead]

My cruises had closed bookings for a while to limit capacity, but reopened bookings because capacities were low. 

I've not heard of a single case of Royal cancelling someone's reservation in order to meet capacity restrictions, and you can bet your sweet bippy that the media and Cruise Critic would be all abuzz over a story like that.  

[handbellplayer]

2 hours ago, brillohead said:

My cruises had closed bookings for a while to limit capacity, but reopened bookings because capacities were low. 

I've not heard of a single case of Royal cancelling someone's reservation in order to meet capacity restrictions, and you can bet your sweet bippy that the media and Cruise Critic would be all abuzz over a story like that.  

Actually, this was my question - sorry if I worded it poorly.  Thanks everyone - one less thing to worry about...for now!

[brillohead]

1 hour ago, handbellplayer said:

Actually, this was my question - sorry if I worded it poorly.  Thanks everyone - one less thing to worry about...for now!

I understood exactly what you meant.... seems pretty obvious that cancelling the entire sailing wouldn't achieve a capacity limitation because there wouldn't be a capacity at all!

I'm glad that your mind is eased.... between all the testing and "plague pass" and other various requirements, there's already enough other things to stress about!

[LilBlackDress]

I was worried as well. I didn't know if they were going to do a Russian Roulette with the bookings or what would happen. 

They pulled our cruise off the website when it hit whatever capacity they were allowed (at that time) but we had no idea why it was pulled... We finally found out that they hit a comfortable capacity. 

After all the itinerary changes, protocol changes and the voluntary cancelations, we are sailing on Symphony with a total of 1127 passengers. 

 

[Daghis]

On 8/27/2021 at 7:51 AM, brillohead said:

I understood exactly what you meant.... seems pretty obvious that cancelling the entire sailing wouldn't achieve a capacity limitation because there wouldn't be a capacity at all!

 

I suspect the question may have arisen from whether an enforced capacity restriction might render the sailing not profitable enough to run, much like how an unpopular movie might not get played at a particular showing in a theater if not enough people buy tickets for that showing.

 

Fortunately, Royal Caribbean is on the record as suggesting their ships are profitable with as little as ~30-35% capacity (on the larger ships).

[bajathree]

19 minutes ago, Daghis said:

 

I suspect the question may have arisen from whether an enforced capacity restriction might render the sailing not profitable enough to run, much like how an unpopular movie might not get played at a particular showing in a theater if not enough people buy tickets for that showing.

 

Fortunately, Royal Caribbean is on the record as suggesting their ships are profitable with as little as ~30-35% capacity (on the larger ships).

I find that very hard to believe.

I defiantly think there is a big over-capacity setting up with all these ships and Delta  rearing it's ugly head.. 4 mega ships in FL alone in the month of Nov and Dec....thats a LOT of capacity for this current enviorment...just don't see that kind of demand in 2021 to even reach capacity at their current 30-35% 

[Daghis]

Hard to believe... the profitability, or that they can get that many passengers?

 

In terms of profitability, it comes from this quote from Jason Liberty (RCCL's EVP and CFO) during their recent earnings call: "The ships are accretive to us around that 35% to 50% mark. And obviously, the newer, larger ships are closer to 35%. And older, smaller ships are closer to that 50%."

 

I remember this because he used the word "accretive" instead of "profitable".

 

I can't comment on how well they're going to be filling the ships. I know Carnival's running them pretty packed already, in my opinion.

Edited August 30, 2021 by Daghis

[bajathree]

22 minutes ago, Daghis said:

Hard to believe... the profitability, or that they can get that many passengers?

 

In terms of profitability, it comes from this quote from Jason Liberty (RCCL's EVP and CFO) during their recent earnings call: "The ships are accretive to us around that 35% to 50% mark. And obviously, the newer, larger ships are closer to 35%. And older, smaller ships are closer to that 50%."

 

I remember this because he used the word "accretive" instead of "profitable".

 

I can't comment on how well they're going to be filling the ships. I know Carnival's running them pretty packed already, in my opinion.

Hard to believe they are profitable at 35%. 

Carnival is also throwing out all kind of offers to trade, casino and such to get people on their ships. I have received multiple offers to sail MadriGras for $99 + taxes and fees for a 7 night sailing in a balcony cabin....and turned them down.

Edited August 30, 2021 by bajathree

[firefly333]

If over capacity was a problem prices on rcl wouldnt be such bargains, from now thru next april. Wish I could book more at these prices, but the hoops are getting worse to jump thru.

 

Carnival isnt sending me any deals, but maybe you have to gamble. Carnival is turning into a adult gambling cruise. 

[Oceansaway17]

On 8/26/2021 at 9:26 PM, Sunshine3601 said:

As of right now enough people seem to be canceling on their own for various reasons so there hasn't been any issue with having to cancel existing bookings to reduce capacity.

 

 

 

well I guess that explains why my call to RCI to cancel with CWC and asking for FCC has not yet removed my reservation yet.  I cancelled on Aug 18th and a call back 3 days ago they said it is approved for FCC and in the process.   hmm boy would I love to know how many cancels are going on right now.  I mean my ship is to sail in two weeks, and my room has not been released to inventory.

They think I am still coming

[Sunshine3601]

48 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

well I guess that explains why my call to RCI to cancel with CWC and asking for FCC has not yet removed my reservation yet.  I cancelled on Aug 18th and a call back 3 days ago they said it is approved for FCC and in the process.   hmm boy would I love to know how many cancels are going on right now.  I mean my ship is to sail in two weeks, and my room has not been released to inventory.

They think I am still coming

They typically do not remove your sailing until they have processed the cancellation by refunding your port taxes and fees.     Then they will issue the FCC which seem to be taking 30+ days to be issued.